Why colourful phone grips are taking over our tech
Allison Johnson from The Verge explores how switching to loud, colourful phone grips transformed her minimalist tech routine.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Allison Johnson abandoned her naked-phone policy in favor of bold, colourful accessories.
- Inspiration struck after seeing a friend's PopSocket shaped like a stick of butter.
- Designers like Bailey Hikawa and brands like PopSocket lead the trend for quirky tech gear.
- Magnetic designs allow users to easily remove chunky grips when a serious look is needed.
After years of proudly maintaining a strict no-case policy for her mobile devices, Allison Johnson of The Verge found herself won over by the charm of vibrant and unconventional phone accessories. The journey began when she spotted a friend's phone grip styled exactly like a stick of butter, complete with a label reading unsalty and accurate tablespoon markings. Captivated by the playful PopSocket-branded accessory, she decided it was time to break away from years of carrying buttoned-up, minimalist tech and embrace something genuinely fun.
The push toward accepting bulky accessories was partly accelerated by extended use of Google's heavy Pixel 10 Pro Fold. While she initially gravitated toward low-profile metal ring stands to handle the large device more comfortably, seeing that butter grip changed everything. She ordered a hot dog-shaped PopSocket next, admitting she was so excited upon its arrival that she accidentally pulled it apart. Because magnetic grips easily snap on and off, users do not have to compromise between everyday comfort and maintaining a mature appearance during formal moments.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
This playful design philosophy closely mirrors the work of Bailey Hikawa, who has been crafting unconventional phone grips and cases out of her Los Angeles studio since 2018. Her creations incorporate input from the disabled community to offer ergonomic benefits while remaining visually striking. Earlier this year, Apple even collaborated with Hikawa on a chunky, bright MagSafe grip. Her online shop features clear urethane cases filled with suspended spaghetti noodles or baby shrimp, showcasing a handmade approach that redefines standard phone protection.
The rising popularity of loud and colourful phone accessories acts as a natural counter-response to the increasingly uniform and muted colour palettes offered by modern smartphone manufacturers. As phones grow larger and share similar metallic finishes, customizing them with quirky grips provides an accessible outlet for personal expression and everyday amusement.
Meanwhile, mainstream manufacturers like PopSocket have leaned heavily into whimsical designs, offering everything from classic tomato pincushion grips to food truck-inspired novelties and the Sugar Rush collection. PopSocket founder David Barnett noted in an email that consumers are increasingly embracing colour, texture, and personality in their tech gear, wanting everyday essentials to feel less ordinary since phones accompany them everywhere.
Smartphone manufacturers themselves may bear some responsibility for this trend, given that flagship devices typically launch in predictable shades of grey, silver, and muted colours. Ultimately, magnetic phone accessories offer the best of both worlds: users can enjoy a playful, chunky hot dog or butter grip during casual hours, and instantly detach it whenever they need to present themselves as a serious adult.
Source: The Verge
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